DNR News

Jan. 16, 2014

Beneficial controlled burning to take place in Horry County

Controlled burning will be taking place on the 9,383 acre Lewis Ocean Bay Heritage Preserve during the months of January through May, 2014. During selected days when conditions are suitable, the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources and the South Carolina Forestry Commission will be conducting controlled burns on the Preserve.

Since the wildfire that burned across the property back in 2009, several hundred acres have been replanted in native longleaf pine. This species of pine tree needs fire to thrive and grow. Controlled burning also reduces or eliminates combustible fuels which accumulate on the forest floor thereby reducing the potential for destructive wildfires.

These controlled burns are an integral part of the existing ecosystem that thrives on the property. Controlled burning provides many benefits to the numerous wildlife species that use the property including the black bear, white-tailed deer, and the endangered Red-cockaded woodpecker. Controlled burning also provides required habitat for many of the threatened and endangered plant species that exist on the area as well.

Other Horry County Heritage Preserves likely to have some controlled burning conducted in the next four months are Little Pee Dee Heritage Preserve and Cartwheel Bay Heritage Preserve.